Question

The transition metals which do not form amalgams are:

• A. $Zn$
• B. $Fe$
• C. $Cd$
• D. $Pt$

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

The correct options are
B $Fe$
D $Pt$

Iron and platinum don't form 'strong alloys' with mercury.

What determines a solid solution is whether atoms of each component are able to occupy the others' position or fill in interstices of one another's lattices. Both iron and platinum do not have a strong interaction with mercury - and hence are not too compatible with mercury and do not form an amalgam.

Zinc amalgam is used in Clemmensen Reduction and as reducing agent in the Jones reductor.

An amalgam of cadmium with mercury is used as anode in weston cell which produces high voltage